The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 15, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Harry is used to making people squirm. When others see his badly scarred face, there is an inevitable reaction that ranges from forced kindness to primal cruelty.

In this first-person tale written as an extended college entrance essay, Harry has no intention of sparing readers from this discomfort. He recounts the trauma of his young life spent recuperating from the act of childhood bullying that left him a burn victim. In middle school, he meets Johnny McKenna, the first person to seem to offer him genuine friendship. Over the years, Harry finds strength by Johnny’s side, following along with his decisions, from the arbitrary to the life-changing, and together, they form a punk-rock band called the Scar Boys. With the band on tour as high school ends, the true dynamic of their friendship, Johnny’s less-than-altruistic need for Harry, and Harry’s ownership of himself in all his disfigured glory begin to emerge. This leads up to a heartbreaking tragedy that bonds the two boys in understanding. Though the use of the college essay to present the story may seem trite, the unflinching honesty of the narrative and subtle development of the compelling characters make up for the use of this device.

Etches its way onto the heart and leaves a mark. (Fiction. 14 & up)

Pub Date:Jan. 28th, 2014

ISBN:978-1-60684-439-7

Page count:256pp

Publisher:Egmont USA

Review Posted Online: Oct. 20th, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1st, 2013

INTERVIEW WITH LEN VLAHOS

Debut author Len Vlahos has a new guitar—which he’s purchased just in time to accompany him on a book tour for his debut young adult novel, The Scar Boys, which he describes as a “love letter to music.”

For years Vlahos has wanted to write about the “transformative” time ...

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